Filed under: QPR, Premier League, Football
The Premier League needs to brace itself for Adel Taarabt next season. Providing a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona does not materialise, the Morocco playmaker will be lighting up the top flight of English football.It as during an unhappy spell at Tottenham he had claimed interest from Spain's biggest two clubs, which was laughed off at the time by his manager Harry Redknapp.
"Barcelona have not been on the phone today and nor have Real Madrid. When they ring us, we are going to ask a lot of money for him," he said.
In the end it was QPR who took a gamble on him after a successful loan period, and he captained them on the way to the Championship title last season.
The 22-year-old is confident, outspoken and needs to be indulged by his manager Neil Warnock. But he has the ability to mesmerise defenders when he is on the ball.
Warnock clearly thinks Taarabt is worth it. He believes his player would not find another team to accommodate his talent with a free role. Nor would he be expected to play regularly if he went to a bigger side.
But that has not stopped Taarabt opening his mouth already in the close-season, suggesting Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in buying him.
Taarabt told L'Equipe in France: "QPR will demand £10million pounds for me, and for now, the clubs do not move too much.
"I had contact with Arsenal and Chelsea, but it is a little muddled. Arsenal have not yet sold [Cesc] Fabregas, and as for Chelsea, they do not yet have a coach, so we will see."
Expect plenty more fireworks on and off the pitch from Taarabt, who moved over from French side Lens four years ago.
Martin Jol, Spurs manager at the time, compared him to Zinedine Zidane in terms of skill. On his cameos as a substitute, he would dazzle a few defenders but then struggle to play the ball simply.
In terms of temperament, he recently fell out with his international manager Eric Gerets then said he was willing to return to play for his country.
He is full of contradictions, brilliance and fearlessness. It is a combination worth waiting for when QPR start their Premier League campaign against Bolton.
"I would like to stay in London - it is the best city in the world, and with Queens Park Rangers? Why not?" he added.
Taarabt's achievements last season were overshadowed somewhat with controversy over Alejandro Faurlin's owership, and whether QPR should be docked points over the episode.
Faurlin played a key role as a defensive midfielder, allowing Taarabt to express himself. If they do the same again in the Premier League, fireworks can be expected.
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